The vast majority of people around the world are familiar with black and green tea. However, in the case of its white variety, they still wonder: "Is white tea actually white?" . No, it does not actually turn white after brewing. It comes from the same plant as other types of tea - Camellia Sinensis . What actually influences the appearance of the infusion is the processing method. As a result, you can obtain tea - white, yellow, green, oolong, black and pu-erh.
White tea is the least processed , which makes it the most natural of all types of infusions. This process consists of only 2 stages - withering and drying . As a result , silvery-white, fluffy hairs remain on the leaf buds , which is where the name comes from! Thanks to minimal processing, white tea retains many of the beneficial compounds found in fresh leaves. It contains , among other things , a high concentration of polyphenols , a strong antioxidant that prevents diseases and strengthens the body's immune system.
What is the history of white tea?
For many years, it was believed that white tea was discovered during the Song dynasty (920-1269), but it was first mentioned much earlier - in the Tang dynasty (618-907). During this period, the preparation of the infusion was completely different than today: tea leaves from early harvests were added to compressed cakes , and broken pieces of the plant were soaked in clay kettles.
Although white tea was popular and respected during the Song Dynasty, until recently it was relatively unknown to the rest of the world. The infusion could only be drunk by members of the royal family. There are rumors that it could only be given to the emperor as a "tribute" by white-gloved virgins, as a symbol of honor and respect.
How to brew white tea?
Brewing white tea is different from preparing green and black infusions. It is best to brew it at a milder water temperature of 79-85°C . If the water is too hot, the tea leaves may overcook and become astringent. To get the best taste, we recommend brewing it for only 1-3 minutes.
How much caffeine does white tea contain?
It is commonly believed that white tea contains less caffeine than other varieties. In turn, some studies conducted in recent years state that it contains more theine than black tea. Regardless of which theory you accept as true, in our opinion, the short brewing time and the small processing process support the low caffeine content.
Basilur white tea collection:
Basilur presents a unique and luxurious collection of white teas that have been masterfully combined with fruit aromas. Each mixture is characterized by unique taste , smoothness and subtlety . They make the perfect gift!
